KSTC-TV

callsign	KSTC-TV
city	Minneapolis, Minnesota
branding	45tv; 45 Eyewitness News MeTV Twin Cities (5.3)
digital	30 (UHF)
virtual	5.2
translators	see
affiliations	5.2: Independent / ABC (alternate) for others, see
airdate	June 19, 1994
location	Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Minnesota
country	United States
callsign meaning	KSTP Twin Cities (co-owned with KSTP)
former callsigns	KVBM (1994–2000)
former channel numbers	Analog: 45 (UHF, 1994–2009) Digital: 44 (UHF, 2003–2009), 45 (UHF, 2009–2019) Virtual: 45 (2003–2011)
owner	Hubbard Broadcasting
licensee	KSTC-TV, LLC
sister stations	KSTP-TV, KSTP, KSTP-FM, KTMY
former affiliations	HSN (1994–2000)
erp	1,000 kW
haat	436 m
facility id	35843
coordinates	45.0625°N, -93.13944°W
licensing authority	FCC
website	https://www.45tv.com/

KSTC-TV (channel 5.2) is an independent television station licensed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, serving the Twin Cities area. Owned by Hubbard Broadcasting, it is sister to Saint Paul–licensed ABC affiliate and company flagship KSTP-TV (channel 5), and radio stations KSTP (1500 AM), KSTP-FM (94.5), and KTMY (107.1 FM). The five outlets share studios on University Avenue, on the Saint Paul–Minneapolis border; KSTC-TV's transmitter is located at Telefarm Towers in Shoreview. The station is branded as 45TV in reference to its former analog, digital, and virtual channel number; it is still carried on channel 45 on some cable systems in outlying areas of the market, as well as on DirecTV and Dish Network.

KSTC-TV also serves the Mankato market (via K14KE-D in nearby St. James[1] through the local municipal-operated Cooperative TV [CTV] network of translators[2]

Programming

As an independent station, the station runs a variety of syndicated programming mostly consisting of off-network shows. Indeed, Hubbard signed on KSTC primarily as a home for a large inventory of syndicated programming that KSTP-TV no longer had time to air. Movies considered one and two-star are aired frequently while some locally produced material is aired each week. In the decades it has been operating under the KSTC call letters, several other low-budget programs made specifically for this station have come and gone. These included a weekly horror movie broadcast under the name Horror Incorporated (hosted by Count Dracula played by Jake Esau, the actual owner of the countdracula.com domain name). The last incarnation of Horror Incorporated was hosted by Uncle Ghoulie (Thom Lange), Carbuncle (Tim McCall), 13 (Sasha Yvonne Walloch), Gordon the Gorilla, and Wolfie. As of 2004, at least one KSTC-specific program was still airing: Nate on Drums, a comedy and variety show hosted by Nate Perbix, is reportedly syndicated to a network of stations across Minnesota.

Today, most local programs come from KSTP including On the Road with longtime KSTP reporter Jason Davis and Sports Wrap. In 2004, KSTC announced a six-year over-the-air partnership with the Minnesota Timberwolves allowing the station to broadcast a number of the team's regular-season and postseason basketball games. Also that year, the station entered into an eleven-year partnership with the Minnesota State High School League to broadcast state athletic tournaments as well as educational and student programs. KSTC pays the league $9.7 million in rights fees and provides an additional $10.6 million worth of promotion for those tournaments and other league programs. KSTC-TV also televised Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball games from 2006 to 2007.

In 2009, KSTC and the MSHSL extended their broadcast partnership until 2021. Starting in 2010, some tournaments were broadcast online. Additionally in December 2004, they established a multi-year partnership to air Minnesota Wild hockey games. Other sports have also aired on the station in the past including Minnesota Twins and Saint Paul Saints baseball, boxing, and even Robot Wars-style combat between mechanical competitors. As of summer 2006, KSTC has been including actual viewers in their programming promotions. Most include a viewer describing their favorite scene or character from one of the shows on the station. The station may also take on the responsibility of airing shows from ABC whenever KSTP cannot do so as a result of extended breaking news or severe weather coverage, or special programming.

KSTC-TV

History

Programming

Newscasts

Technical information

Analog-to-digital conversion

Translators

External links

References